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I think the siege mentality of many in @sinnfeinireland is an obvious – & in many cases understandable – response to unquestionable media hostility in the Republic (& a longer history of actual state repression on both sides of the border).
But it also creates a toxic culture
But it also creates a toxic culture
in terms of internal accountability.
It should be said that internal accountability is hard for all sorts of organisations: it's why we have whistleblowers in all fields including politics.
But if you want to take the moral high ground of opposition, you need to be comfortable
It should be said that internal accountability is hard for all sorts of organisations: it's why we have whistleblowers in all fields including politics.
But if you want to take the moral high ground of opposition, you need to be comfortable
dealing with internal challenge.
Healthy and responsive democratic organisations do this.
It should also be observed that all political parties have this problem, to varying extents.
It's why members of the @greenparty_ie have left because of alleged bullying & harassment.
Healthy and responsive democratic organisations do this.
It should also be observed that all political parties have this problem, to varying extents.
It's why members of the @greenparty_ie have left because of alleged bullying & harassment.
I don't think @sinnfeinireland, despite what many claim, are unusual in this respect.
But, they could be leaders on internal accountability & responsiveness.
Despite the thirst among political reporters for gossip internal party strife: it has little effect on public support
But, they could be leaders on internal accountability & responsiveness.
Despite the thirst among political reporters for gossip internal party strife: it has little effect on public support
People don't really care whether a party admits that some of its members or reps got things wrong – within certain parameters anyway
That's why SF's polling won't budge after this controversy
For the same reason it would also do no harm to actively engage with legit criticisms
That's why SF's polling won't budge after this controversy
For the same reason it would also do no harm to actively engage with legit criticisms
The real risk of harm to Sinn Féin from this controversy comes not from loss of voter support: most people don't pay much attention to this stuff.
It is, I think, more of losing the excellent young members who they've successfully mopped up over the last decade
It is, I think, more of losing the excellent young members who they've successfully mopped up over the last decade
One of the most impressive things about SF in the past decade has been their ability to mop up hugely talented young people – mainly in Universities – who might perhaps traditionally have gone into Fianna Fáil, and to a lesser extent Labour or the Greens.
Finally, a few reasons why I think SF could be leaders on internal accountability:
-often orgs that are bad at it, & are called out on it, can respond creatively in addressing it
-in ideological terms, republicanism of the variety the party proclaims, contains these values anyway
-often orgs that are bad at it, & are called out on it, can respond creatively in addressing it
-in ideological terms, republicanism of the variety the party proclaims, contains these values anyway
-most importantly: SF are in the ascendancy in terms of support. This is a great time to make these kinds of internal governance & culture changes, as the risks are low. The leadership have more capital to burn with recalcitrant members & voters now than they may ever have.
And for the avoidance of doubt: I am not a Sinn Féin member or voter (at least in terms of First Preference).
Vote @Right2ChangeIrl No 1
Vote @Right2ChangeIrl No 1
